Author's Note

Hello everypony, I hope you are enjoying my story even more than I am. I’m glad you all have been here on this journey with me. And I thank you for it.

Now, just for a warning, the scene where Zipp and Sprout confront each other may be uncomfortable to some. So, be prepared for that.

Anyway, if you enjoyed this chapter, make sure to comment, like, follow and favorite for future updates.

Also, big news, I am in the process of writing a sequel to my Hearth’s Warming Dress story I wrote back in December. I can’t say when that story will officially be up, but I’ll try to get it released soon.

So, thank you all and goodnight everybody.

Chapter 26: Burying the Hatchet Part 2

The Next Day-Zephyr Heights

Zipp was so nervous right now. A feeling she wasn’t used to having. She was always such a confident and headstrong mare who felt she could do no wrong.

How silly she felt now.

Her and Pipp were currently waiting at one of the many entrances to Zephyr Heights. This one was closer to where Maretime Bay stood just 8 miles away. This entrance was also closed off, as per ordered by Queen Haven. Reason being is for a confidential guest coming to Zephyr Heights to have a private meeting with Zipp, as well as the rest of the Royal Family.

He would be here any minute now. She felt both a sense of relief and surprise when she heard that Sprout had, reluctantly, accepted her invitation. Though, due to the now 85 MIL video on PonyTube of Zipp accusing Sprout of murder, he asked for an undisclosed location, which she agreed to.

Her two personal Royal Guards, Zoom Zephyrwing and Thunder Flap, would pick both Sprout and Izzy up and accompany them to Zephyr Height’s’ undisclosed location where Zipp and Pipp were currently at. However, once there, Izzy and Pipp would leave the area to give Sprout and Zipp some privacy. Now, the way the meeting would go down between them was ultimately up to the two of them.

How would it go? Would he scream his head off at her? Would he not say a single word? Would he even care?

Would he be understanding? Would he care enough to listen to her? Would the two even reconcile at all?

…Would the two even become….friends?

“You feeling okay, sis?” Pipp asked her, sounding worried.

Zipp sighed. “I don’t know. I’m just…I have no idea how this is gonna go.”

“I don’t either. I’m afraid too.” Pipp said.

“I’m not afraid.” Zipp said, sounding a bit insecure. It sounded so much so, that Pipp immediately knew, giving her a stern look. Letting her know she knew she was lying.

Zipp sighed. “Okay, maybe I’m a bit afraid. But…I just hope this doesn’t make Izzy feel like she has to choose between us.”

“I don’t think Izzy will feel that way, Zipp.” Pipp said in a reassuring tone.

“For your sake, I hope you’re right, Pipp.” Zipp said.

After that was said, Pipp couldn’t help but think about it. She knew Izzy was a super positive, happy and upbeat pony. Always somepony who could never let anything get to her.

However, after hearing what her big sister said, she now had to seriously think:

Is Zipp right?

Izzy and Sprout were currently waiting outside of The Firepit Pizza. Vinny was currently doing his shift, while Bella stayed behind to say goodbye to Sprout. To wish him good luck with seeing somepony who accused him of murder almost a week ago now. He was certainly gonna need it.

After she did that, she went back inside her home. Hoping for the best for somepony she looked at as a son.

Izzy looked super excited. So much so, she may burst. She was gonna see her Pegasi friends after almost a week of not seeing them. Now to most, that may not seem like a big deal, but her and the Pegasi sisters lived together. They were almost always together. So, it made some sense to her to feel excited to see her friends again.

“Ooh, you’re gonna love it in Zephyr Heights, Sprouty. The ponies there are so nice and cool and, oh oh, the views and sights are breathtaking. I’m so excited to see Pipp and Zipp.” She said, bouncing up and down happily.

Her bouncing stopped when she took a look to see him. When she did, her happy and excited mood was replaced with concern and worry.

Sprout wasn’t exactly talkative when she came to see him today. Ever since he woke up, he had this aura around him. That aura showed discomfort and nervousness. Though, he was doing everything in his power to not show it. He was keeping everything inside.

“Are you feeling okay, Sprouty?” Izzy asked him.

He gave a deep breath through his nostrils. “I don’t know.”

Izzy gave him a sad look. “I know you feel scared. But, I’m with you. And, this is a good thing. For you. And for her.” She told him, comforting him as best as she could.

Sprout didn’t say a word. He just gave another snort.

“When this is all over, maybe you and Zipp could be…friends.” Izzy said, sounding upbeat.

He only gave her a flat look. Izzy knew he was questioning that statement, without actually saying anything.

She sighed. “I know Zipp did something bad to you. And I know she can be a very prideful mare. But, once you really get to know her, she’s a really nice mare. You just gotta trust me on this. After this is all over, I guarantee you and her are gonna be friends. Just like me and her and the others. I promise, Sprouty.” Izzy said.

“For your sake, I hope you’re right, Izzy.” Sprout said, now looking away from her.

Before she could say anything else, two Pegasus ponies appeared before them. They had arrived in a hot air balloon, which had a Zephyr Heights logo on it. They both wore helmets and body armor. Showing that they were proud Royal Guards for the Queen of Zephyr Heights.

The guard on the left was a female. She had a sky blue coat and a violet mane and tail. She also had violet colored eyes and a purple castle for a cutie mark. She actually appeared to be a little taller than the one on the right.

The guard on the right was male. He had a spring green coat and a coat that had a mix of a shade of blue and green with it. He also had dark cyan blue colored eyes and a knight chess piece for a cutie mark.

Izzy laughed and smiled. “Hi Zoom. Hi Thunder.” She said.

The two smiled. “Good afternoon, Izzy Moonbow.” Zoom Zephyrwing said, happily greeting her friend.

Sprout almost couldn’t move. He felt too scared to even do so. These two guards could beat him up if they wanted to right now. Maybe throw him in the dungeon. If they had one.

Thunder Flap approached him. “Good afternoon, Sprout Cloverleaf. How are you doing today?” He asked him, sounding genuine, but Sprout didn’t know if he was putting on an act or not.

“…fine.” Sprout said lightly, not really making eye contact with Thunder. Which made him look confused.

Zoom approached her partner. She cleared her throat. “Sprout Cloverleaf. Are you ready to see Princess Zipp?” She asked.

He gave a deep breath. In and Out. “I guess.” He said, not looking too enthusiastic. Which made Izzy look more worried for him.

Both Zoom and Thunder nodded. “Well, let us accompany you and Izzy to Zephyr Heights then.” Zoom said, showing him the very hot air balloon they arrived in.

Both Izzy and Sprout walked into the basket of the hot air balloon. He took one last look at the Firepit Pizza, hoping this wouldn’t be the last time he would see it.

When everypony was all set in, Zoom applied pressure to the valve, and the hot air balloon lifted off. Straight to Zephyr Heights.

Sprout wasn’t necessarily afraid of heights, but being up in this hot air balloon almost made him. Up in the air, with two ponies he’s never met, off to a location to have a “meeting” with a pony he gave a black eye too not too long ago. He almost felt ready to start having a panic attack. Maybe even throw up.

Izzy saw this and almost instantly jumped into action. She then did something that, on the surface, would be pretty ballsy for anypony. She nuzzled him.

“It’s okay, Sprouty.” Izzy whispered to him.

Then, as if a tidal wave washed right through him, he felt almost all his nerves fade. Blushing at her affection, he stuttered, “U-U-Uh, T-Thanks Izzy.”

When she stopped the nuzzling, she saw his blush. It looked cute. Which made her blush too.

Both Zoom and Thunder couldn’t help but snicker at the situation unfolding. Two ponies clearly crushing on each other was just too cute to see. However, they also saw how nervous Sprout looked now and earlier. So, they decided to do something about that.

“I understand you’re nervous, Sprout. But, I promise you: you’re not in trouble. Princess Zipp just wants to talk. She doesn’t want to fight or cause you any harm. And neither does Her Majesty, Queen Haven.” Zoom said.

Thunder nodded. “She’s right. We all just wanna move past this and let this go.”

Sprout looked surprised to hear that from Zoom and Thunder. Izzy then put her hoof on top of his.

“You see? I told you nothing bad is gonna happen. I promise.” She said in her sweet tone she usually does on him.

He looked away from her, blushing again. Dammit! Why did she have to be so cute?

“Okay. I trust you, Izzy.” He said, looking back at her only a little bit.

Zoom and Thunder giggled.

His nerves shot up again. Only this time, it was a combination of both nervousness and anger. He both glad and not glad to see this pony’s face again.

As the hot air balloon landed, he saw both Pipp and Zipp standing there. Zipp with her black eye still showing. It had been about 4 to 5 days since he struck her, but it didn’t look like it was gonna heal anytime soon.

“Pipp! Zipp!” Izzy cried in excitement. She hopped over the basket of the hot air balloon and ran toward them.

The two Pegasus sisters flew over to their excitable Unicorn friend and the three embraced.

“Oh, it’s so good to see you guys.” Izzy said, sounding so happy to see them.

“You too, Izzy.” Pipp said, getting her phone out and taking a selfie of the three of them.

The three then let go of their embrace. They turned their attention to the hot air balloon. Sprout hadn’t moved. He was still standing there. Just staring at them.

No. No it wasn’t them. It was only one pony he was staring at. The one who started all this mess. The one who accused him of murder in front of the whole town of Maretime Bay. The one who made ponies assault him and pour a drink on him.

The one who probably ruined his life.

He was only staring at Zipp Storm.

He stepped over the basket of the hot air balloon, never taking his eyes off of her. Never changing his expression.

Zipp was staring back at him, however she did look away from him for only a few seconds in shame. She could only wonder what had happened to him while she was gone from Maretime Bay. With the way he was looking at her, it probably wasn’t all that good.

The stare down went on for about a minute, raising the tension. Pipp, Izzy, Zoom and Thunder certainly felt it. They only wondered what would happen while they were away from this situation.

“Come on guys.” Thunder said lightly. “Let’s give these two some privacy.”

Zoom and Thunder escorted them away from Sprout and Zipp. Pipp and Izzy both looked back, hoping nothing bad was gonna happen to them.

When the four ponies left, it was now just the two of them. Two ponies who were not on good terms, attempting to get on good terms. How hard that can be.

The two were silent for another minute. Only staring at each other. One with sympathy and regret in her eyes, the other with anger and frustration in his eyes.

Zipp couldn’t take the silence anymore. So, she decided to break it and speak first. She took a deep breath. In and Out.

“Sprout…first of all, thank you. For agreeing to meet me here. I would’ve understood if you didn’t want to see me, but you chose to. And I promise, it’s just you and me here. No pony else. I swear.” She said.

Sprout didn’t answer. He still just stared.

“Sprout, I…I know you and I are not on good terms. And I know you must be really angry with me. I don’t blame you. You have every right to feel that way. What I did to you was…inexcusable.” Zipp looked down in shame, showing her self loathing of the situation.

Again, no words from Sprout. Just an angry stare.

“I…I had no right to accuse you in front of everypony. I admit: I let my dislike of you get the better of me. It…it’s hard for me to say this…but I was wrong. I was wrong for what I did.” She sniffled a little bit, trying not to cry.

Still, no words or even a change in Sprout’s face. Still, that angry state.

“I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but I’m gonna give it you anyway.” Zipp said, pausing for a second before letting it out.

“I’m sorry, Sprout. I’m so sorry for accusing you of murder. I can’t take back what I did, but I can tell you I deeply regret what I did. Whatever’s been happening to you, should not be happening. And I have to live for the rest of my life knowing I ruined an innocent pony’s life.” Zipp said, pouring her heart out. A small tear escaped her eye, before she quickly wiped it away.

“I’m truly sorry, Sprout.” She said again.

She waited a few seconds, waiting for him to respond. But all she saw was the angry stare he still had on her. She almost said his name again before he said something that sounded family to her. The reason it sounded familiar, was because it came from her not too long ago.

“I don’t know if I should believe you or not.” He said that, somewhat imitating Zipp, but in a condescending tone.

She remembered now why he said that to her in that type of tone. When she did, all she could do was look on at him in guilt. Because she said the exact same thing to him when he apologized to her not too long ago.

“I saw your little press conference video. Let me ask you a question, and don’t fucking lie to me: Did Hitch make you do that? After all, I know you were arrested for assaulting me. Sunny told me everything.”

Zipp knew she couldn’t lie here. Even if she wanted too, she just couldn’t bare to lie to him. Especially now when he’s justified in his hostile feelings for her.

“Yes. That was part of a deal Hitch and I made regarding my arrest.” She shamefully admitted.

Sprout just shook his head at her in disgust.

“But, I also did it because I do really feel terrible about what I did. The guilts been eating me alive.”

“Like hell it is!” Sprout yelled. Zipp didn’t flinch. She knew she just had to take it.

“You accused me because you fucking hate me! After what I did! You hate me because I almost killed you, your sister and your Mom! You didn’t care about evidence or proof or alibi’s or any of that! You WANTED it to be me, didn’t you?!” He yelled out loud to her.

Zipp didn’t answer, because she didn’t need to answer. It was plastered on her face. All the things he was saying to her were true. Well, almost all of them.

“Is that what you wanted to do?! Huh, you wanted to ruin my life?! You didn’t think it was enough that the whole town fucking hated me?! You wanted them to hurt me?!”

“No.” Zipp said. “I admit I was still mad at you for the whole giant machine of doom. And maybe, I automatically assumed it was you. That was a mistake. I admit that. But, I didn’t want ponies to assault and harass you.”

“Well, that’s what your little stunt did!” Sprout yelled. “Hell, two days ago, Izzy and I went and got a smoothie from Sunny. I was scared as hell to go out in public after what you did. You wanna know what happened?”

Zipp looked like she didn’t want to know. But, he obviously was gonna tell her.

“One of my FORMER employees poured a smoothie on my head. I wasn’t even doing anything. He just came up and poured a smoothie on my head. Called me a loser and a murderer. There’s ponies online who want to hurt me. All because of YOU.” He said, pointing his hoof at her.

Zipp looked hurt to hear that. “Sprout, I-“

“Shut Up!” He yelled at her. He was now huffing and puffing in anger at her. Zipp looked surprised to hear how high his voice could get. She had never seen ANYPONY this angry before.

“What kind of detective are you, huh? Detectives are supposed to get all the facts before accusing somepony. You aren’t a REAL detective. You’re just a bully.”

That comment right there stung her. It hurt her to hear him say that. She knew she couldn’t bear hearing that from him.

“I’m not a bully!” She yelled. “I made a mistake, okay?! I made a really bad mistake that I regret!”

“Oh. And you don’t think I regret my actions?!” Sprout yelled in anger. “I have to live with the fact that I listened to my bigot mother all my life. I have to live with the fact that I let both of my best friends down. And I have to live with the fact that I judged ponies before even knowing them. I have regrets too, Zipp!”

“I know you have regrets now!” Zipp exclaimed. “I understand that now. And I understand YOU to a degree.”

Sprout looked shocked to hear that. “What the FUCK could somepony like you understand about ME?!”

“Because I know what it’s like losing a father!” Zipp yelled.

If he was shocked earlier, now he was stunned. Where did that come from? As he saw her huff and puff, the silence between them lasted for about a minute before he asked her,

“Who told you about my Dad?” He asked her that in an almost defensive type tone.

Zipp knew now things would probably get even worse from here on out. But, she had to keep going. She just had too.

“Before our little incident in town, I admit: I talked shit about you to Hitch. I…I made a bad joke about your Dad. Not knowing he was already dead. Hitch…I could tell was very pissed at me.” She said, looking away for a split second in shame at her actions, before looking back at him.

“Then, after our incident in town, Hitch told me about your Dad. And ever since…I’ve just felt like shit. Especially after finding out that you’re innocent. It’s been on my mind so much because….because I lost my Dad too when I was your age.”

Sprout didn’t see that coming. He especially didn’t see her tearing up, thinking about her father. He never did that. Because his mother told him it’s best to move on from it.

“I just feel so guilty about that, because I know my Dad would be disappointed in me if he found out about what I did. But I feel guilty more so…because I know your pain, Sprout.” She said, looking at him with tears dropping from her eyes.

He felt uncomfortable. He never really spoke much about his Dad after his death. Why did it have to be brought up now?

Zipp sniffled. “I don’t hate you anymore. Because I know how you feel. I know what you lost. Because I lost that too. And I’m so sorry that it got to this point between us. That’s why I wanted to speak to you alone. So we could…just start over.”

Sprout lowered his guard a little hearing that. He didn’t sense one bit of bullshit in her now.

“I can’t take back what I did. But, I can be better, Sprout. I want to just bury the hatchet with you. I understand if you don’t want to forgive me, but…I forgive you, Sprout. For everything.”

Sprout felt his heart pull hearing that. “You…you really do?” He asked.

Zipp nodded with a sob. “Yes. My Mom told me it’s not right to hold onto grudges or hatred. And my therapist probably feels that way too. I’m so sorry, Sprout. I shouldn’t have been bitter. It’s all my fault for everything that’s happened.”

The two were silent again, before Sprout broke it with a random and very awkward question.

“How did your Dad die?” He asked, surprising her.

“My Dad died of a random brain aneurysm. What happened with yours?”

Zipp shuttered. “Random heart attack.”

Sprout sighed. “Guess we both lost our Dad’s randomly. Shows how much life is just so fucked up, huh?” He asked her, causing her to nod.

“I think you’re lucky in a way.”

She looked surprised to hear that. And in a small way, offended too.

“How’s that?” She asked.

“Because you and your sister got to grieve. I didn’t.” He said in a very depressing tone. That made Zipp look at him in shock.

“After my Dad died, my Mom told me it’s best to move on. He wouldn’t want us mourning him forever. Hell, her and I didn’t even cry at his funeral. Seriously, how fucked up is that?”

Zipp agreed. That WAS fucked up. What kind of parent doesn’t cry at her husband’s funeral?

“I can tell you got to grieve. You got to mourn him. Because you had a better mother than me. No wonder I moved out.”

Zipp raised an eyebrow. “You don’t live with your Mom anymore?”

Sprout shook his head. “I’m living with two ponies who SHOULD have been my parents. Maybe then I wouldn’t have been such a stupid fuck up.” He said in a self loathing way.

“Sprout…” Zipp started to say with sympathy in her voice.

He put his hoof up. “Don’t even. I know I’m a fuck up. And I always will be.”

“You aren’t a fuck up anymore.” Zipp said. “You wanna know why?”

“Why?” He asked.

“Because you wouldn’t feel sorry for anything. You’ve apologized to everypony after your community service for 18 months.” Zipp said, now looking remorseful. “I know this now. I was bitter at first, but I’m not anymore. You aren’t a fuck up, Sprout. Please stop calling yourself that.”

“……okay.” He said, looking away from her.

The two were silent again, before being broken again. This time by Zipp.

“Ya know, if you ever wanna talk about your Dad, I’m here.” She said. “Because, odds are, I probably know what you’re feeling.”

“To be honest, Zipp, I haven’t thought about my Dad in years. I don’t know if I’m about to start now, after being told by my Mom to not too.” He said in a very down voice.

Zipp smiled sadly. “Even so, I’m here okay.”

Sprout couldn’t help but give her a smile back. He didn’t know why, he just did. The two were silent again, before Sprout spoke.

“I don’t know if we’ll ever be great friends, to tell you the truth. After what you did, I don’t know if I can fully trust you. And let’s be frank, I don’t know if you can fully trust me.” Sprout said, causing Zipp to feel her heart sink.

“But, I don’t hate you either. I should. But, after what you told me about your Dad, I don’t think I can hate you. Even if I wanted to.”

Zipp looked away again in disappointment. She sighed. “I guess I understand that.” She said. “I just…hope the day can come when we can put the whole past behind us and start over and be friends.”

“Hopefully, but that day isn’t today.” Sprout said.

More silence between them. Zipp got her phone out. Before she even called anypony, Sprout stopped her.

“Who are you calling?”

“The others. To bring you and Izzy back home. Why?”

“Do you think you could bring your Mom over here?” He asked, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.

“Why?” She asked.

He sighed. “Because I want to apologize to your Mom. Face to face.”

“Sprout, you don’t have to-“

“Yes. I do. I have to. Because I want to and I have to. Please Zipp.” He said.

She waited a couple seconds before she got her sister on the phone.

It took about 10 minutes, but Izzy, Pipp, Zoom and Thunder all arrived. And they didn’t arrive empty hoofed. Standing in between Zoom and Thunder was the Queen of Zephyr Heights herself, Fairweather Haven.

Both Izzy and Pipp wanted to ask Zipp and Sprout how it went, but they were silent again after seeing Sprout and Queen Haven face to face.

Zoom cleared her throat. “So, Sprout Cloverleaf, you said you wanted to see Her Majesty Queen Haven?”

Sprout almost felt like he was going to shit himself. All the other ponies he’s apologized to were one thing, but this was a Queen he was apologizing too. She was probably the most important one.

He took a deep breath. In and Out.

“Queen Haven, the last time we saw each other, I was a delusional, reckless dictator who almost hurt or killed you with my giant machine of doom. And I understand you probably don’t want to see me after I punched your daughter in the face and gave her that black eye. I understand if you hate me.” He said, coming up to her very slowly.

Zoom and Thunder, almost instinctively, had a good mind to tackle Sprout to the ground for attempting to get close to the Queen. However, after Zipp motioned for them to stop, they did so. They just hoped that was a good idea.

Now, Sprout was somewhat up close to Queen Haven. She didn’t appear to be backing down from him. Or looking afraid.

Then, to the surprise of everypony, including Haven herself, Sprout knelt before her. With his head bowed to the ground. In a way, showing her respect as the Queen.

“I come before you a changed pony. Humbly asking for your forgiveness. I can’t take back what I did, but all I can say to you is that I’m sorry. I am truly sorry for any pain I may have caused you and your family. I understand if you can’t, but know that I’m not the same as I once was.” He said to her in the most humble voice possible.

Izzy, Pipp and Zipp were shocked. They had a feeling Sprout may apologize, but actually kneeling before her? This was either desperation or being truly humbled.

It was silent for a few seconds before Queen Haven brought her hoof to his chin and lifted it to face her.

She gave a warm smile. “At ease, Sprout Cloverleaf.”

He looked surprised as he stood up. “I have forgiven you for your past actions. Living in bitterness is not what I wish. For myself, my family or my kingdom. I’m glad to see what a changed stallion you have become.” She said.

Sprout felt so happy to hear that. “I-I’m so sorry. Thank you, your majesty.”

She then embraced him. He accepted her in his arms. While Zipp, Pipp, Zoom and Thunder all smiled, Izzy just went “EEEEEEE” again.

“So, how’d it go?” Izzy asked. They were being taken home in the same hot air balloon, with Zoom and Thunder accompanying them.

“Well,” Sprout began. “Her and I don’t hate each other. At least not anymore. But, I’ll be honest, I don’t know if Zipp and I will ever be great friends, Izzy.” That made Izzy look sad to hear that.

“Maybe someday we can. You never know. But not today. She understands that. I just hope you can understand that too.” He said to her, not really caring if Zoom and Thunder could hear him.

Izzy sighed sadly. “I hope that day can come soon. You and Zipp could be great friends, Sprouty.”

“Maybe.” Sprout said.

The hot air balloon finally dropped them off at their destination. At the Firepit Pizza place. After saying their farewells, Zoom and Thunder rode their hot air balloon home to Zephyr Heights.

“Thanks for coming today, Izzy. I couldn’t have done it without you.” Sprout said.

Izzy blushed. “No problem, Sprouty. I’m always happy to help my friends.” She giggled.

The two were about to walk away from each other, before Izzy did something pretty quick. As Sprout had his back turned to go toward the front door to Bella and Vinny’s house, she quickly ran toward him. So quick, that Sprout didn’t even hear her or had time to react.

When she reached him, she kissed him right on his cheek. He froze for a split second. Before he could even turn around Izzy was already gone, running up the road toward the Crystal Brighthouse.

He just stood there in shock. Not even knowing what just happened. He touched his cheek where he felt her lips touch. It only took a few seconds for him to let out a goofy smile and giggle before he entered Bella and Vinny’s home.